Kovac: Dortmund must push to the limit to defeat Union Berlin

Niko Kovac has urged his Borussia Dortmund side to "push ourselves to the limit" in order to defeat Union Berlin.

Dortmund are second in the Bundesliga, behind Freiburg on goal difference, but saw their perfect start come to an end last time out against Werder Bremen.

Despite leading 2-0 as late as the 87th minute, Dortmund collapsed to a 2-2 draw at Signal Iduna Park.

Their momentum also stalled during the week after they lost 1-0 to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.

Nevertheless, Dortmund have 13 points from their opening five matches, the exact same tally they had at this stage of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, which was Kovac's first full campaign in charge.

Prior to Kovac's appointment, Dortmund had started a Bundesliga season with at least 13 points from five games only three times, and no other manager has achieved such a start twice.

Despite their strong start to the season, Kovac is wary of the threat posed by upcoming opponents Union.

"We want to take three points there. But we know how difficult it is there," said Kovac.

"Last season we won 3-0, but it was still a tough battle right up to the last second. I expect the same.

"In their last game against Elversberg, they returned to the level of intensity and aggressiveness they've shown in recent years. It's going to be intense!

"We'll have to push ourselves to the limit and win the battles they force upon us. If you think you can just go there and coast through the game, it’ll be tough.

"Many teams have already learned that the hard way."

Union are 16th after five games, but got their first win of the season on the board last time out against Elversberg (1-0).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Union Berlin – Livan Burcu

Livan Burcu has recorded the most total take-ons (14) and successful take-ons (nine) for the club in the Bundesliga this season, despite playing less than half (215) of the 450 possible minutes.

Against Elversberg, he scored the winner in just 32 minutes of play and registered a joint-team-high three shots, level with Andras Schafer.

Borussia Dortmund – Nico Schlotterbeck

Nico Schlotterbeck has scored six Bundesliga goals since the start of last season, more than any other current centre-back in the competition in that period.

Schlotterbeck also scored in the last meeting between Union and Dortmund in January 2026.

MATCH PREDICTION: BORUSSIA DORTMUND WIN

Dortmund have won their first two away matches of this Bundesliga season; only twice have they started a campaign with a longer winning streak on the road: 2000-01 (first three) and 2010-11 (first eight).

Going back to last season, Dortmund have won three consecutive Bundesliga away games for the first time under Kovac.

Union have lost each of their last three Bundesliga matches against Dortmund by an aggregate score of 12-0; this is the first time the club have suffered three consecutive top-flight defeats against a single opponent without scoring.

However, Union have earned all four of their points in the 2026-27 Bundesliga season in home matches.

They have scored four of their five Bundesliga goals from set-pieces, the highest proportion in the league (80%). Dortmund have scored only one of their 11 league goals from a set-piece (9%), with only RB Leipzig having a lower share (7%).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Union Berlin – 20.8%

Draw – 22.1%

Borussia Dortmund – 57.1%